# NTSB MIA92LA068: Piper PA-32-301, N8300X, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), January 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1992, 00:01 local (05:01 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33056
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33056/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA068

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND WAS NOT LOCATED.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - terrain condition - water
  - reason for occurrence undetermined

## Analysis

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS DEPARTED ON A VFR FLIGHT FROM FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, TO STELLA MARIS, BAHAMAS. A VFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED BUT NOT ACTIVATED. VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED BY MIAMI FLIGHT SERVICE STATION DUE TO WEATHER. THE PILOT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT WHEN THE WEATHER CONDITIONS PERMITTED VFR FLIGHT. THE PILOT DECLINED FLIGHT FOLLOWING IN THE OUTER ARSA, AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS TRANSPONDER WAS NOT BEING PICKED UP ON CLIMB OUT. RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED SIX MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. THERE WERE NO OTHER KNOWN RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PILOT. A BODY WAS LOCATED IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN TWO DAYS LATER BY A FISHING BOAT. THE COAST GUARD WAS DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE AND TWO OTHER BODIES, TWO BLUE TOTE BAGS, A WALLET, AND A LIGHT BROWN AIRPLANE SEAT CUSHION WAS LOCATED IN THE GENERAL LOCATION OF THE FIRST BODY. ALL REMAINS WERE IDENTIFIED BY THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. AIRCRAFT DELIVERY DOCUMENTS INDICATE BUCKSKIN SEATS WERE INSTALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8300X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8300X-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 32-8106030, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8106030
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Otfried H. Gaida
- Registered owner: Otfried H. Gaida
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: FLL, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: MYLS, STELLA MARIS, OF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 865 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLL, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920123001049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920123001049A), Jan 23, 1992: Piper PA32301, Atlantic Ocean, FL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Departed with VFR not recommended. Wreckage and bodies found in Ocean days later. Thunderstorms in area.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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